Three of the best ways to use your homegrown Basil

The Dessert

Coconut and basil panna cotta

Panna cotta must be one of the few truly great Italian desserts and a good A good panna cotta is as good as dessert gets. This one is light and fresh and another great way to use your fresh and fragrant homegrown Basil.

Ingredients

• Double cream - 600ml
• Can coconut cream - 165ml
• Fresh basil leaves and stalks - 15g
• 2 dried lime leaves (optional)
• 3 leaves of gelatine
• Caster sugar - 60g
• 1 large lime or 2 small limes, grated zest and juice

Method

• Pour the cream and coconut cream into a pan and add the basil and lime leaves. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins, until reduced to about 600ml.
• Put the gelatine leaves into a bowl of cold water and leave to soak for 5 mins. Squeeze them out, then add to the cream mixture along with the sugar and lime zest. Stir well until the gelatine is dissolved. Stir in the lime juice (about 7 tsps). Leave for 10 mins, then strain into a jug. Taste to see if it needs more lime.
• Pour into the moulds on a tray. Chill until set for 4 hrs or overnight.
• To serve your coconut panna cottas: Dip the moulds in hot water for a few seconds and gently pull the sides of each panna cotta away from the mould with your fingertips. Scatter a few basil leaves over to serve.

The Cocktail

Basil & grapefruit cooler

Ingredients

• Pink or yellow grapefruit juice (fresh or carton)
• Vodka - 300ml
• Basil - a small bunch
• Caster sugar - 200g

Method

Step 1: Using a vegetable peeler remove the zest from 3 of the grapefruit and put the zest in a jar. Pour over the vodka and leave to infuse for at least 24 hours.

Step 2: Cut all the grapefruit in half and juice – if making ahead of time, freeze the juice until it’s needed.

Step 3: Pick the leaves from the basil and add the stalks to a small saucepan with the sugar and 200ml of water. Gently heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then cool, strain and chill until needed.

Step 4: Put half the basil leaves in a jug, pour over the vodka, 300ml of basil stock syrup and the pink grapefruit juice and stir.

Step 5: Fill 6 glasses with ice, the remaining basil and a little pink grapefruit zest (use the stuff from the vodka), and fill with cocktail mix.

So, there you have it. Three lovely ways to use your home-grown basil. And remember we love to see your Lazy Flora plants in your home and the creative ways you use your edibles, so please share your progress with us on social media @LazyFloraUK!